Recent History Suggests Ted Hurst Will Have An Impact As A Rookie
May 10th, 2026
Bucs WR Ted Hurst.
Joe is a big history guy. And while history should never be the sole reason a decision is made, Joe is a firm believer in the old saying, “Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it.”
So in recent Bucs history, the Bucs have not been shy about leaning on rookie receivers.
In 2024, Jalen McMillan had eight touchdowns and started 12 games. Last year Emeka Egbuka started 13 games and had six touchdowns along with 938 yards receiving. Tez Johnson, also a rookie last year, had five touchdown catches in eight starts.
Now here comes this year’s rookie receiver, Ted Hurst. And yes, Hurst is aware the Bucs allow rookies to get on the field and make plays.
And unlike when McMillan, Egbuka and Johnson were rookies, Mike Evans isn’t here to be a logjam for a rookie receiver.
“That’s definitely motivation for me,” Hurst said. “You know, seeing a younger guy come in and step into that role and be a professional. Also [having] an impact on the game earlier [than most teams], that’s motivation for me.”
When asked what position he’s looking to play, Hurst tried to dodge the question, saying he is just working to learn the offense and get his feet wet.
Pressed on the subject, Hurst said his initial focus is working as an X-receiver. And that’s exactly the hole in the Bucs roster created by the departure of Evans.
Hurst also had a cool story yesterday. He said he wanted to move to Tampa the day after he was drafted so he could start acclimating to the area and start learning the Bucs’ offense.
His mom had other ideas. His mom wanted to see Hurst walk at Georgia State’s graduation. So Hurst didn’t get to Tampa as soon as he wanted.
Gotta make sure mom’s happy.
May 10th, 2026 at 12:09 am
We’re all rooting for him.
May 10th, 2026 at 12:50 am
Hopefully. I’m kind of wondering about maybe DPOTY for Bain. As long as Bowles doesn’t mess things up.
May 10th, 2026 at 1:00 am
Just watched his Bucs presser (X-Receiver). The kid has his head on straight. Barrier number one to being-all-that-you-can-be — conquered!
Gonna be a fun season!
May 10th, 2026 at 4:43 am
Evans missed so many games the last 2 years someone had to step up
May 10th, 2026 at 4:46 am
He reminds me a lot of Evans the way he high points the ball….a sneaky pick by Jason….I like it! I thought maybe 5th rd they would go WR.
May 10th, 2026 at 5:14 am
McMillan finished Strong his rookie year.
Jalen McMillan recorded 8 receiving touchdowns in his 2024 rookie season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He achieved this in 13 games, with at least one touchdown catch in the final five games of the regular season, ranking him second among all NFL rookies in 2024 for touchdown receptions.
EE on the other hand, he started off strong and then fell apart by the beginning of the second half. Go figure. He couldn’t handle it for some reason. Guessing why is useless.. But he showed Great promise if he can keep his focus.
Hurst is an unknown but I’ve got high hopes for him since we Definitely NEED an X receiver Badly now that Mike’s gone.
We may still have 99 problems, but a solid receiver room is NOT one of them!
May 10th, 2026 at 7:28 am
It’s not useless at all. We had no guards so had to tear up the entire playbook and only throw the football laterally or for less than 5 yards. Otherwise Baker was getting stomped. And that’s not Egbuka’s forte. I look for him to have a phenomenal year this year as long as Baker and the O-line are intact. Macmillan will do well too.
May 10th, 2026 at 7:37 am
He is used to being WR#1. In his first year at Georgia State in 2024, he became the teams number one receiver, finishing with 56 receptions for 961 yards and a school record nine touchdowns. As a senior in 2025, he again was the teams leading receiver with 71 receptions for 1,004 yards and six touchdowns.That was against teams like Bowling Green and Slippery Rock. It will be a fun watch this season to see how he can have a impact against NFL caliber defenders.
May 10th, 2026 at 8:14 am
As long as he beats press man and gets off the line of scrimmage with his speed and height/wingspan and sharp routes he will get open.
May 10th, 2026 at 8:20 am
I’m quite sure this rookie receiver will shine, just like the 3 that you named that came before him. Has nothing to do with Baker Mayfield. NOT.
May 10th, 2026 at 8:28 am
Can’t wait to see Baker overthrow Hurst by 20 yards into the waiting arms of a defender.
Gather all the receivers you wasn’t, without a solid QB it won’t matter.
2-9 in prime time is the stat that bares repeating. That isn’t worth a contract extension.
We should move on asap.
May 10th, 2026 at 8:34 am
Solid frame!
and will be strong and thicker in a few years of NFL diet and training
He has a great opportunity ahead
May 10th, 2026 at 8:45 am
Goff 129 Allen 127 Mahomes 125 Mayfield 123. Those 4 Ironman have started the most NFL games of all QBs the past 8 years. Huge gap in the rest low teens down to the 80’s and 90’s for the rest. The 3 before him have had the benefit of playing for one team. Calling him a journeyman is a joke. He’s one of the most durable QBs in the history of the NFL. Never once as a backup. He’s not a backup or a journeyman. He’s a winner. He’s a leader. And while he’s sliding into his prime these next 4 or 5 years, he’s sure going to be a pleasure to watch. And I ain’t whistling Dixie.
May 10th, 2026 at 9:11 am
Baker isn’t talented enough to be mentioned with that group.
He’ll never even sniff anything close to what they’ve accomplished.
This is just another Winston type QB all over again.
Potential to be good but never lives up to the expectations.
That’s not being negative, it’s being realistic.
May 10th, 2026 at 9:11 am
and of course, my post to rtard lynch above wont go thru
May 10th, 2026 at 9:28 am
Another Winston type QB all over again? Maybe Jason and Todd and the Glazers could sign Winston. Sure would save them a ton of money. A running ton of money. I’m talking serious loot.
May 10th, 2026 at 10:26 am
He refused NIL money to stay loyal to Georgia State.
He studied hard and earned his degree.
I love how Licht drafts receivers without egos.
I knew the first round WR the Packers drafted last year was a diva.
Licht hates divas like I do.
Hurst has integrity.
Go Bucs!
May 10th, 2026 at 10:33 am
Baker might not be in the Atlantic Ocean of Winston’s turnovers but he is in the Gulf of Mexico where his turnovers happen at the worse moments.
May 10th, 2026 at 10:37 am
Michael Clayton Jr.
May 10th, 2026 at 10:45 am
I thought Trey Palmer would have been around a little longer with his speed. He seemed to be heading in the right direction during that Eagles playoff win then vanished.
May 10th, 2026 at 10:48 am
I predict Ted Hurst have a Mike Williams type rookie season
Mike Williams was an awesome rookie WR
They couldn’t cover him, and he was always open
But, Ted Hurst is bigger, faster, more physical
And this team has more offensive weapons
So I’m expecting a lot from Ted Hurst
May 10th, 2026 at 11:57 am
Two words Kenny Bell….holy hell did he get talked up as a dominating in camp. Put pads on him and it was over with. Let’s pump the brakes a bit. But I hope your right
May 10th, 2026 at 1:02 pm
This is undersold. The fact he focused on getting a degree (and making his mom happy) is a tell.
And Hurst has said he wanted snaps so he could get better. And so long as he produced, people would notice him. He’s right. You don’t have to play for Georgia to get noticed.
May 10th, 2026 at 1:17 pm
Kenny Bell. Right on
May 10th, 2026 at 11:35 pm
The only reason JMac went in the 3rd Round that year, was only because of being injured for throughout most of that last season at Washington. Had he returned to school for his final season and stayed healthy, just like EE did, then he would’ve been a 1st Rounder, no doubt. He was the best WR in that LOADED WR-room, that saw Odunze go #9-overall, and Polk go like #38th. It’ll be a long tough season for Hurst, with MANY ups and downs.